The Kumachan

[Scenario]
Schaumburg Elementary is a four-year-old, single-level building with 12 classrooms and a library. Each classroom currently has 24 students but could possibly seat 32 students. There are currently no portable classrooms but a student enrollment growth is just starting to hit the school.
Enough computers are available for six classrooms and the library immediately, and the intent is to outfit the remaining six classrooms next year. The plan is to make the Internet and some online services available to the students. The computers are current enough to be useful for at least two years.
The library, which is somewhat centrally located, is where the server(s) and router connecting the school to the Internet will be located. Assume that all rooms will have 24 computers and that each room will use a stackable hub solution that combines a 12-port hub and a 24-port hub for 36 total ports. Being stackable units, the network will see each stack as a single 36-port device.

[Content]
When looking at the scenario for the elementary school, or any networking design scenario, it is important to first understand all of the requirements that are set by the customer. We know there are enough computers to outfit seven classrooms and the library. Based upon the information provided we know we potentially have 24 students in each classroom and perhaps the same for the library, which is approximately 168 computers. Another requirement identified by the customer is that they intend to outfit another six classrooms in the next upcoming year, which means there will be a need for another 168 computers. We also know the school does not have an infinite budget and is in the classroom environment, so the room design may change based upon teachers wants or needs. The current design for the network is using a star topology and is located in a single story building. The school has agreed to upgrade from hubs to stackable switches allowing for a total of 36 ports per classroom.
The next step to choosing to most ideal solution for a customer is to know their physical layout and requirements and start choosing the media and best devices to suite the customer’s needs. Typically when designing a network it is common practice to put together a plan that meets the current requirements, plus a 30% overhead for future growth, however in this scenario the school is going to be upgrading 6 additional classrooms within the next year and each switch in the classroom already has plenty of room for future expansion with 36 ports. Since the school does not have an unlimited budget and currently has hubs in place and the building is only 4 years old, we can assume CAT-5, CAT-5e, or CAT-6 cable was previously installed into the building, and therefore we know our data speeds will be either 10/100/1000Mbps. If a previous network was not installed, we could recommend a wireless network to allow for the change of the classroom layout and to cut the costs of cabling. Since the scenario does not specify we will assume CAT-5e or CAT-6 was installed and we will reutilize current cabling infrastructure to better suit our design needs. With knowing the star topology and a current requirement for 6 classrooms to be outfitted and the library, we can begin to form a recommendation to the school. We will recommend using seven 12-port stackable switches with two uplink ports, seven 24-port switches with two uplink ports, and one core distribution switch with at least 12-gigabit ports. The uplink ports are essential because they will provide the gigabit uplink to the core switch. The second step in the design of a network is to look at the physical connectivity and put that together with current equipment that can be found on the market.
The third step in designing a network is to look at how many IP addresses will be needed and plan to accommodate all for now and the future. Since the school advised us that it could only afford 2 public IP addresses, we know we are going to using the network address translation protocol in the router and therefore we can use a private IP address range for all the devices on the network. We know the school currently needs approximately 168 IP addresses for computers, one for the server, one for the switch, and one for the router, which brings us to a total of 171 total IP addresses. A private class “C” network would accommodate 253 hosts and the current needs of this infrastructure, however we know we are going to add another 168 computers next year, so we should use a class “B” network because it allows for a total of 1,048,576 contiguous IP addresses. The 3rd step to designing a network is to plan for ease of configuration and accommodate all hosts/devices on the customer’s network.
The 4th step to the network design proposal is to get the pricing of different types of equipment from different vendors. Listed below is a price list of the necessary equipment and cabling needed for this project with references for each device.
Device Cost Quantity Reference
Solution #1
Cisco Catalyst 3750-24PS SMI Switch $3,199.99 7 http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=cisco+catalyst+3750&cid=7157816595940066664#ps-sellers
Cisco WS-CE500G-12TC Switch $1,229.99 7 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3505616&Sku=C94-2180&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=TBBTkwCjCVyBpAgf%20mwzygtCjCVRqCjCVRq
Cisco WS-C3560G-24PS-E Switch $6,921.95 1 http://sector29.com/PRODUCT_PAGES/314/314-632734.html
Linksys Router RVS4000 $137.95 1 http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1150491147722&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=4772254480B06
Blackbox Cable 1000ft $216.99 2 http://www.onsale.com/shop/detail.aspx?dpno=499593&store=onsale&source=bwbfroogle
Belkin CAT6 RJ-45(M) Network Connector, 100 Pack $43.99 10 http://www.superwarehouse.com/p.cfm?p=1525507&CMP=KAC-GoogleShopping&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1525507
Crimpers $24.10 1 http://www.antonline.com/p_RJ4511TOOL-GP_221794.htm
Total Cost $38,967.74
Solution #2
Netgear GSM7328S Switch $1,749.99 15 http://www.netgear.com/Products/Switches/FullyManaged10_100_1000Switches.aspx
Netgear RP614 Router $49.99 1 http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WiredRouters/RP614.aspx
Blackbox Cable 1000ft $216.99 2 http://www.onsale.com/shop/detail.aspx?dpno=499593&store=onsale&source=bwbfroogle
Belkin CAT6 RJ-45(M) Network Connector, 100 Pack $43.99 10 http://www.superwarehouse.com/p.cfm?p=1525507&CMP=KAC-GoogleShopping&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1525507
Crimpers $24.10 1 http://www.antonline.com/p_RJ4511TOOL-GP_221794.htm
Total Cost $27,198.82
Solution #3
3Com 3CR17761-91 $2,143.79 7 http://www.provantage.com/3com-3cr17761-91~73COT06U.htm
3Com 3CR17660-91-US $916.15 7 http://www.eworldsale.com/3com-12-port-4200g-gigabit-switch-4x-mini-gbic-1x-xenpak-1u-stackable_6027_13292.html
3Com 3C13640-US $384.33 1 http://www.provantage.com/3com-3c13640~73COI01F.htm
Blackbox Cable 1000ft $216.99 2 http://www.onsale.com/shop/detail.aspx?dpno=499593&store=onsale&source=bwbfroogle
Belkin CAT6 RJ-45(M) Network Connector, 100 Pack $43.99 10 http://www.superwarehouse.com/p.cfm?p=1525507&CMP=KAC-GoogleShopping&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1525507
Crimpers $24.10 1 http://www.antonline.com/p_RJ4511TOOL-GP_221794.htm
Total Cost $22,701.89

Step 5 to the network design is to put together a proposal, which explains the requirements, the equipment necessary, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the costs involved with the project.
In conclusion, when putting together a network design proposal for a customer it is best to start with looking at the customer’s requirements, then look at the physical aspects of the network, moving to the data link (switching aspects), planning the network/IP addressing, and then put it all together into one proposal to provide to the customer for them to decide which will best suite their needs.

My internist referred me to a female urologist. I saw her yesterday and she is gorgeous. She’s beautiful and unbelievably sexy. She told me that I have to stop masturbating.

I asked her why and she said, “Because I’m trying to examine you…”

The Italian Lover, a virile middle aged Italian gentlemen named Guido was relaxing at his favorite bar in Rome when he managed to attract a spectacular young blonde woman. Things progressed to the point where he led her back to his apartment and, after some small talk, they retired to his bedroom where he rattled her senseless.

After a pleasant interlude, he asked with a smile, “So, you finish?”

She paused for a second, frowned, and replied, “No.”

Surprised, Guido reached for her and the rattling resumed. This time she thrashed about wildly and there were screams of passion. The sex finally ended and, again, Guido smiled and asked, “You finish?”

Again, after a short pause, she returned his smile, cuddled closer to him and softly said, ‘No.’

Stunned, but damned if he was going to leave this woman unsatisfied, Guido reached for the woman yet again. Using the last of his strength, he barely managed it, but they ended together screaming, bucking, clawing and ripping the bed sheets.

Exhausted, Guido fell onto his back, gasping. Barely able to turn his head, he looked into her eyes, smiled proudly and asked again, “You finish?”

Barely able to speak, the beautiful blonde whispered in his ear, “No, I Norwegian.”

An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions. Then, later, they passed some people who remarked, “What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.” So they then decided they’d both walk! Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey. Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and man figured they were probably right, so they decide to carry the donkey. As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and the donkey fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story? If you try to please everyone, you might as well…kiss your ass goodbye!

[Abstract]
The purpose of this document is to compare ethical issues that may or may not exist with using an information system, which is designed to gather strategic information, based upon a competitor’s customer base. Also included within this document is an assessment of ethics as it pertains to customers whom are individuals as well as businesses.

[Content]
When using an information system to gather information about a competitor’s customers, it is important to know ethical issues that could be questioned. Many company’s believe it is important to gather information about competitors in order for them to provide a quality product at a competitive price, however there are some activities that should be avoided in order to prevent unethical activities from taking place. Some acceptable types of information being gathered and methods for gathering the information include; asking customer’s about equipment and pricing of competitors, asking employees of other businesses about the company’s practices, searching for information through public resources, reading books or publications about other companies, asking other people about practices that might be useful to the company. Any company has a right to information about competitors as long as they obtain the information through the means that is accessible to the public (onlineethics.org, 2006). Information, which is obtained through covert surveillance, is considered unacceptable as well as any information, which is gained through the influence of personnel holding any confidential information. Any information, which is gained through deception, is illegal and not an acceptable way to gain information about a competitor.

When gaining strategic information about a competitor there are acceptable customers and unacceptable customers from which information can be gained. It is completely acceptable and ethical to gain information from customers of a competitive business as long as the customers are individuals or if the customer is another business then they are not one of the competitors. If information is being gathered from a competitor from a customer who is a business and is in the same type of business, then this is not only unacceptable, but also unethical as well. It is unacceptable to gain information either by the way of first hand or third party about information that is proprietary about a particular business. Any proprietary information, which belongs to a competitor, should never be used to benefit a company. If a company chooses to use proprietary information that belongs to another company it is apparent they do not abide by the code of professional conduct of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals. Using competitive intelligence practices to gain information about competitors is legal and ethical as long as companies use public means of obtaining information.

In the world of competitive intelligence (CI) there are ethical issues that arise from the lack of guidance, however when ethical means are used, using an information system to track information about competitors should be completely accepted. Many companies take business ethics very seriously, however some competitive intelligence practitioners feel that many difficult ethical decisions are currently being left up to them to make the judgment call on and this is due to the current ethical guidance being too vague to be very helpful with making ethical decisions (Sexton, 2007). When accepted methods are used and an information system is maintained to track this information about competitors, there is nothing ethically wrong about that.

In conclusion, there are many ethical issues in which people are faced with on a day to day basis in the business world, however using illegal or deceptive means to gather information about competitors is not only unethical, but should be unacceptable. Using deceptive means to gather information about competitors, dumpster diving, conducting covert surveillance, and even stealing documents are a few examples of unethical means of gathering information. The methods from which competitive intelligence is obtained should be scrutinized and should adhere to a strict code of ethics, however using acceptable means to obtain information and then tracking that information within an information system is completely acceptable and currently utilized.

References
1. (2006, February 16th). Benchmarking and Reverse Engineering (Advice from The Ethics Office at Texas Instruments Corporation) – Online Ethics Home. Retrieved August 23, 2008, from Benchmarking and Reverse Engineering (Advice from The Ethics Office at Texas Instruments Corporation) – Online Ethics Home Web site: http://www.onlineethics.org/CMS/workplace/workcases/ti-ethics/benchmarking.aspx
2. Sexton, Tiina-Liisa (2007, October). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5393/is_200710/ai_n21298481. Retrieved August 23, 2008, from Questionable intelligence gathering | Intheblack | Find Articles at BNET Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5393/is_200710/ai_n21298481

[Abstract]
The purpose of this document is to identify and implement problem solving strategies and management decision-making. Also included within this document is the answer to the questions, “What impact would decision-making styles have on the design of information systems that support decision making in international businesses?”

[Content]
There are a few different decision making styles that can aid with the decision making process. The democratic decision making style is where a leader relinquishes control of a decision in order to let members of a group vote. The consensus decision-making style is where the leader gives up total control and lets the group, as a whole, deal with the decision. The collective decision making style is where the leader involves the members of an organization in order to gain a different perspective in order to assist the leader with making the decision. The autocratic decision making style is where the leader maintains total control and ownership of the decision. Different types of leaders may use different types of styles in order to assist them with the decision making process (Leadership Management Development Center, Inc., 1997).

International businesses use information systems differently from more local or regional businesses. Local or regionalized businesses may use information systems to manage such things as people, documents, technologies, and procedures in order to assist with the management of operational activities in an organization. Localized information systems also help with management accountants to solve business problems like the costing of a service or product or even a business-wide strategy. International businesses can use information systems to aid with such things as international research or discovery. International businesses will also use information systems to achieve a competitive advantage by utilizing intelligence gained from the international market to make superb business decisions (goliath.ecnext.com, 2002). Local or regional businesses use information systems differently than international businesses.

Many governments play a major role in how businesses run or operate. Governments have a major impact on businesses by how companies are taxed, by which subsidies are allowed, interest rates, exchange rates, and ever by which partnerships are allowed. Governments also play a major role in how business function or operate by the laws or policies that are created or put in place. Governments have their hands in how business are ran everywhere from needing a business license in order to operate as a business all the way down to ensuring companies meet environmental, cultural, health and safety standards. It is always within a government’s best interest to encourage business. By allowing businesses, this is how many governments are able to fund many programs within the government. Governments influence many business in many different ways from ensuring companies are complying with government policies or laws and in return company’s pay many forms of taxes which the government uses to fund many government programs.

Their government of where the business resides influences international businesses, the government influence may affect how the company’s decision-making process by the type of decision making style that is used and therefore can affect how an information system is designed. A business in China may choose to use more of an autocratic approach to how decisions are made, whereas a company in the United States may choose to use more of a democratic decision making approach. When designing an information system when an autocratic decision making style is being used, there may be more controls or restrictions placed upon users of the information system, ensuring they do not have a free reign of access to information. When a democratic decision making style is being used, users such as managers may have a lot more access to information within that information system in order to ensure they are making the proper decisions.

References
1. (1997). Decision Making Style and its Effect On Morale. Retrieved August 22, 2008, from Decision Making Style and its Effect On Morale Web site: http://www.leadershipmanagement.com/html-files/decision.htm
2. International business and global information management research: toward a cumulative tradition.. Retrieved August 22, 2008, from International business and global information management research: toward a cumulative tradition. Web site: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1312442/International-business-and-global-information.html

A fawn followed this beagle home, right through the doggie door, in the Bittinger, MD area. The owner came home to find the visitor had made himself right at home.